Humania Burdened Chrysalis

Created in 2023, the piece is rendered in graphite, charcoal, and ink on paper, and measures 18 by 24 inches. Inspired by Mahmoud Darwish's poetic work, The Butterfly's Burden, the project uses the butterfly as a central metaphor for identity, exile, and transformation. Through an experimental process of exploring shapes, forms, and patterns, the work culminates in a large-scale print of a human portrait bending and morphing with butterfly wings. Conceptually, the piece navigates the human psyche and the spiritual dimensions of identity through three distinct stages of emotional processing: Sensation, Perception, and Comprehension. It explores the human search for wisdom through lived experience. Ultimately, the visual narrative serves as a visceral representation of growth that transcends societal constraints, capturing an acceptance of self-perception and the journey toward spiritual balance.